Reclosable container



Feb. 15, 1955 Filed. Jan. 23, 1951 R. K. BRITTON RECLOSABLE CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 15, 1955- R. K. BRITTON RECLOSABLE c ONTAINER s Shee ts-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1951 BY a I R. K. BRITTON RECLOSABLE CONTAINER Feb. 15, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 23, 1951 INVENTOR.

United States Patent RECLOSABLE CONTAINER Richard K. Britton, Waterbury, Conn., assignor of onehalf to Ex-Cell-O Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan, and one-half to Ace Carton Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois, and Ace C. Fessenden, Chicago, 111.

Application January 23, 1951, Serial No. 207,384

10 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) The present invention relates generally to containers and more specifically to a disposable, self-sustaining container of paper or the like having a noveland improved reclosable pouring opening of the general type disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,270,617, issued January 20, 1942, to Racy D. Bennett, and in U. S. application Serial No. 699,750 (now'Patent 2,581,237), filed September 27, 1946, by Roger H. Casler. The invention finds particular, but by no means exclusive, utility in containers adapted for distributing milk and other dairy products, such as those containers disclosed in U. S. applications Serial No. 671,832 (now Patent 2,596,225), filed May 23, 1946, by Wilfred A.'Eaton, and Serial No. 783,904 (now Patent 2,664,237), filed November 15, 1947, by Roy S. Sanford.

Oneobject of the present invention is to provide a container having a liftable member sanitarily covering the pouring opening but being disposed in fluidtight relation with the container wall so as to preclude leakage of fiuid from the container.

Another object is to provide a container of the character set forth and wherein the liftable member can be broken loose to expose the pouring opening by the application of a finger tip force of relatively slight magnitude exerted by the user.

A further object is to provide a container of the above type which will have satisfactory pouring and cut-off characteristics regardless of the size of the poured stream, being free from the tendency to drip or dribble upon termination of the pouring operation.

Another object is to provide a container of the foregoing type and wherein the liftable member may be reclosed over the pouring opening after being initially o ened.

A further object is to provide a container of the character set forth which can be constructed economically from a relatively simple, single sheet blank which can be cut on a mass productive basis by the use of a high speed carton converting machine.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the following detailed description proceeds, taken ll1 connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of an illustrative container embodying the present invention and showmg the liftable member in its initial, fluidtight, closed position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of the container illustrated in Fig. 1 but showing the liftable member in its raised position whereby the pouring opening becomes exposed.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through the upper portion of the container of Fig. 1 and in the plane of the line 33.

. Fig. 4 is a plan view detailing the inside face of the blank from which the illustrative container of Fig. 1 may be constructed.

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary perspective views illustrating sequentially certain of the steps involved in forming the top closure of the container of Fig. 1.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, a preferred embodiment has been shown in the drawings and will be described below in considerable detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and sfope of the invention as expressed in the appended c arms.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, ,there is shown in Fig. 1 an exemplary tubular container 10 erebodying the present invention. The container 10 is 01 the self-sustaining, disposable type, being formed fror paper or other suitable sheet material and being coatez or impregnated with a suitable substanceto render it fluidtight and capable of holding liquids such as milk. The container 10 comprises a main body portion 11 which in the present instance happens to be substantially square in cross section. At its base, the body portion 11 may be provided with any appropriate bottom closure, the details of the latter being quite independent of the present invention. At its upper end, the body portion 11 merges into a tapering transition portion 12 which is surmounted by a flat top closure 14. The structure of the fiat top closure 14 includes a reclosable pouring opening 15 and preferably a scalable filling opening 16. Overlying the reclosable pouring opening 15 is a lift flap 18 which may be swung upwardly from the closed position shown in Fig. 1 to an open position as shown in Fig. 2 by the application of force from the finger tips to a finger tab 19 integrally connected with the lift flap. Such action, of course, serves to expose the pouring opening 15 for dispensing of the contents of the contamer. The periphery of the opening 15 is cut so that a portion of it adjacent the liftable end of the tab 18 will serve as a pouring weir 20 when the container is raised to dispensing position. In addition, the pouring openmg 15 is so dimensioned relative to the lift flap 18 that it will have a substantial sanitary margin 21 of stock below and flanking the pouring weir and underlying the lift flap 18.

Preferably, the container 10 is formed from a flat blank 22 of heavy paper stock or other suitable sheet material, the inside face of such blank being illustrated in Fig. 4. By means of a suitable pattern of score lines and perforations, the blank 22 is divided into a plurality of panels and areas which are utilized for the walls of the container and the closure parts when the container is erected. Thus the central and major area of the blank 22 is scored .to define side panels 24, 25, 26 and 28, together with a fractional side panel or glue flap 29. All of these side panels serve to define the major body portion 11 of the erected container, the fractional side panel 29 being lapped over the inside face of the side panel 28 and securedthereto as by means of an adhesive layer (not shown). Connected to these side panels adjacent their upper edges are a plurality of rectangular extensions 24, 25, 26', 28' and 29, all separated from their corresponding side panels by a common transverse score line 30. The fractional panel extensions 28', 29 are lapped over and adhesively joined in a manner similar to the adhesive joining of the main panels 28, 29. The upper extremities of the panel extensions 24' to 29', inclusive, are defined by a second common score line 31 parallel to the line 30.

Connected to the panel extensions 24' to 29, inclusive, along the score line 31 are a plurality of parts which form the top closure 14 of the container. Included in this group are flange panels 24", 25", 26", 28" and 29" which correspond to respective ones of the side panel extensions. In addition to the foregoing, the blank 22 includes two additional major parts of the top closure 14, namely, flaps 32, 34 which are respectively connected to flange panels 25", 28" along score lines 35, 36. The central portion of the panel 32 is formed with a relatively large T-shaped aperture, a portion of which serves as the pouring opening 15 and another portion of which serves as the filling opening 16 of the container. The flap 34 includes a pair of laterally spaced lines 38, 39, wherein the stock is perforated or otherwise weakened, and which define lift fiap 18, the material between these lines being extended so as to provide material for the finger tab 19. Running transversely of theflap 34 and substantially through the inner termini of the lines 38, 39 is a score line 40 which defines a hinge line for the lift tab 18. The score line 40a1so defines a hinge line for the portion of the flap 35 which normally overlies the filling opening 16 and,

together with cut 41 which partially separates the flap 34 from the flange panel 28", permits such portion to be raised for filling purposes without disturbing the dispensing opening.

In order to render the upper and lower surfaces of the top closure 14 accessible from the exterior of the container for sealing purposes, provision is made for causing the flange panels 24", 25", 26", 28" and 29 to turn outwardly upon erection of the carton. This is done by scoring the blank 22 so as to create a sort of bellows fold between the transition portion 12 and the top closure of the container. Accordingly, thepanel extension 24 has impressed thereon symmetrically disposed score lines 42, 44 converging upwardly so as to divide its area into a subpanel 45 having the shape of an isosceles trapezoid with a base equal in width to that of the side panel 24, and a pair of relatively small subpanels 46, 48 of right triangular shape flanking the subpanel 45. By the same token, the flange panel 24" has impressed thereon score lines 49, 50 commencing respectively at the intersections between the score line 31 and the ends of the lines 42, 44. These lines diverge upwardly so as to define in the flange panel 25" an elongate central subpanel 51 overlying the subpanel 45 and a pair of flanking trapezoidal subpanels 52, 54 overlying the subpanels 46, 48. Similarly, the side panel extension 26' and the associated flange panel 26" are respectively scored by lines 55, 56, 58, 59 in such a manner that they will have a substantially identical pattern of related subpanels. Thus, the panel extension 26 includes trapezoidal subpanel 60 flanked by triangular subpanels 61, 62 while the panel extension 26" includes generally trapezoidal subpanel 64 flanked by trapezoidal subpanels 65, 66.

To secure the component parts or plies of the top closure 14 in fluidtight relation after the container 10 is erected and filled, a suitable pattern of adhesive material is applied to the flange panels as well as to certain marginal areas of the flaps 32, 34. While various adhesives may be used for this purpose, it has been found highly satisfactory to employ a thermal setting material applied by a printing process and which can be activated in response to heat and pressure.

The steps in erecting the carton 10 from the blank 22 are not complicated and may readily be performed by machine or manual means. Assume first that the blank 22 has been erected into an open-ended tube by folding the same along the score lines between its side panels and by adhesively securing together the panels 28, 29 along with their extensions 28, 29'. Assume further that the bottom closure of the container has been completed in the usual manner. If the tube should then be manipulated so that its adjacent side panels are at right angles to each other, the application of external forces to the upper regions of the side panel extensions 24', 26' tending to fold the same inwardly will also tend to swing the upper ends of the opposed side panel extensions 25', 28' inwardly. causing the latter to hinge about the score line 30. If additional external forces should now be brought to bear upon the upper portions of the side panel extensions 25', 28 while maintaining the forces on the panels 24, 26, the flange panels 24", 25", 26", 28" and 29" will commence to fold outwardly and to assume the condition illustrated in Fig. 5. As a necessaryincident to such action, the subpanels 48, 54, as well as the subpanels 61, 65, fold over onto side panel extension 25' and its associated flange panel 25". occupying the dotted line positions indicated in Fig. 4 by the reference characters 48', 54' and 61', 65', respectively. The subpanels 46, 52. as well as the subpanels 62, 66. likewise fold over against side panel extensions 28', 29' and their associated flange panels 28", 29", occupying the dotted line positions indicated by the reference numerals 46', 52' and 62', 66'. respectively. Such folding action produces a relatively deep and open V-groove around the underside of the top closure 14 and at the same time strengthens the transition portion 12 of the container by defining corner ribs 68 therein (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6). From this point on. the top closure 14 of the container 10 may be completed in a simple and straightforward manner. Thus the outtumed flap 32 may be swung through approximately 180 and folded downwardly upon the upper faces of the flange panels, from the position of Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. 6. As an incident to such folding, narrow extension 69 on the front edge portion of the flap 32 is folded along its hinged edge into underlying relation with the bottom faces of the flange panel 64 and into overlying relation with the fractional flange panels 65, 66 which flank the latter. The flap 34 may then be folded downwardly upon the upper face of the flap 32 and the finger tab assembly completed. The subsequent application of heat and pressure to the marginal portions of the closure 14 serves to activate the adhesive and seal the closure. It might be noted in passing that the half of the flap 34 overlying the region ofthe filling opening 16 is preferably left unsealed until after the container has been filled.

Means is provided for positively maintaining the lift flap 18 in fluidtight relation to the container until broken loose by the deliberate act of a user as a preliminary to dispensing the contents of the container. This is accomplished by completely encircling the pouring opening 15 with a continuous band of adhesive 70 which sealingly connects the flaps 32 and 34 (Figs. 4, 5 and 6). In the present instance, the adhesive band 70 has substantial width along the marginal areas adjacent three of the four sides of the flap 34. Along the fourth side of the flap 34, which lies at the front of the container as viewed in Fig. l, the adhesive band 70 traverses a longitudinal extension 71 of the lift flap 18 (see Figs. 4, 5 and 6). Such extension happens to be connected to the lift flap 18 along a score line 72 and is connected to the finger tab 19 along a score line 74. When the top closure 14 is completed, the extension 71 is folded along the score line 72 and adhesively secured to the exposed bottom face of the flap extension 69. The finger tab 19 is of course folded back along the score line 74 and nested against the inclined outer face of the side panel extension 26'.

Although the perforation lines 38, 39 defining the main lateral edges of the lift flap 18 are located within that portion of the area of the major top flap 34 encircled by the adhesive sealing band 70, they do not violate the fluidtight integrity of the container 10. This is due in part to the fact that the lines 38, 39 do not overlie the pouring opening but instead overlie the sanitary margin 21 which is integral with the flap 32. It is also due to the fact that the perforations or weakened portions of the lines 38, 39 become sealed by the paraflin or other material with which the container may be coated or impregnated.

Provision is made for permitting the lift flap 18 to be broken loose and raised to expose the pouring opening 15 upon the application of a relatively slight but deliberately applied force to the finger tab 19. This is accom' plished in part by confining the adhesive bond between the lift flap 18 and the underlying flap 32 substantially to a portion of the latter which is already partially severed by one or more perforation or weakening lines. It is also accomplished in part by the particular disposition of the perforation or weakening lines utilized in the flaps 32, 34. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be noted that the front edge extension 69 of the flap 32 has a detachable or removable section 75 defined in this instance by perfora tion lines 76, 78, 79. The section 75 has an area approximately coextensive with the area of that portion of the adhesive band 70 situated on the panel extension 71 of the lift flap, the section 75 becoming adhesively secured to the panel extension 71 upon completion of the top closure 14. It will also be noted, upon reference to Figs. 4 to 6, that the encircling adhesive band 70 on the underside of the flap 34 has two necked-down portions 80, 81 adjacent the ends of the panel extension 71 and underlying (when the top closure is completed) the ends of the perforation lines 38, 39 which define the lateral extremities of the lift flap 18. Thus it will be seen that the retaining force holding the lift flap 18 in its closed position is set up primarily by the unsevered stock between the perforations or weakened portions of the lines 38, 39 in the flap 34 and the lines 76, 78, 79 in the flap 32. Due to the relatively small areas of the necked-down portions of the adhesive band 70, any resistance offered by the latter against raising of the lift flap 18 is negligible. Some additional retaining force will exist between the lift tab extension panel 71 and the underside of flange panel 26". Such force may be enhanced due to. adhesion set up between these parts, as well as the finger tab 19 and the panel extension 26', by the paraffin or other coating material on the container.

The total resistance to the lifting of the flap 18 for exposure of the pouring opening is sutriciently great to preclude accidental opening of an initially sealed container during shipment or handling. By reason of the liberal gripping area of the finger tab 19, however, and the fact that the tab 19 and lift flap ,18 are adapted to break; loose from mevarious resisting Iareas sequentially, it will be appreciated that thecontainer canbe openedbyauser upon exertion of onlya finger tip force. Assuming the container to be ,inzthe condition of Figs l and 3, an outward and upward pullon the finger tab 19 will serve to ,loosenthe panelextension 71 from the underside of the flangev panel, 26.", and will I cause the removable section. 75 -,to begin separating from-theflap 32 .alongthe'perfora- ,,.;tion lines 78 and 79 due to a combination of shearing and tension forces, At vaboutthesame time, the lift flap 18 will start to tear loose at the outer termini of the perforation lines, 38, 39. Continued lifting force on the finger tab 19 will cause severingof the resisting strands of stock along the perforation line 76, resulting in parting of ,the -:removable section 75 from the flap 3 2 andleaving only I the'stock of perforation lines 38, 39-to resist furtherelevation of the lift flap 18. Due to thehinge connection betweenthe lift flap 18;and the flap 34 along the score line:.40,'the remainingv resisting strands of stock. in the lines 38, 39 become progressively rupturedand leave the pouring opening completely exposed.

.During'the course of initially raising the'liftflap. l8

and'itsfinger tab l9, there is-definedin the sanitary margin '21 a pouring lip 82 which depends below the pouring weir when the container is held in pouring position.

Moreover, the severance of the removablesection 75 along .the perforation line 76produces wedge 84 ofvirgin paper stock on the pouring lip '82. The pouring lip 82 is supported by the underlying flange panel 26" which 'has itsouter edge recessed as' at 85 so as not'to interfere with the action of the lip 82.v 'The completely sanitary pouring lip thus provided imparts highly satisfactory pouring characteristics to the container 10. The struc; ture has an excellent cut-off regardless of whether a drop at a time is being poured or whether a wide stream is characteristics are believed due primarily to the fact that the lip 82 is normally oriented during pouring so that the fluid leaving the pouring weir will acquire substantial linear velocity by the time it leaves the pouring lip. Such high relative velocity appears to be instrumental in obtaining a quick and clean cut-off at the termination of the pouring operation.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a disposable tubular container of paper or the like having a main body portion terminating in a transition portion with a relatively flat end closure overlying said transition portion, the combination of a first major flap having a pouring opening therein, a portion of said opening being adapted for service as a pouring weir, a removable section integral with said first flap but severable therefrom along a line located between the pouring weir and the adjacent edge of said first flap, a second major flap overlying said first flap and adhesively secured thereto, a lift flap integral with said second major flap but partially severable therefrom, said lift flap being disposed in fluidtight overlying relation with the pouring opening and having a substantial sanitary marginal overlap with respect thereto, a longitudinal extension on said lift flap adhesively secured to said removable section, and a finger tab integrally connected with said longitudinal extension.

2. An end closure for a tubular container of paper or the like having a main body portion surmounted by a tapered transition portion, said end closure comprising, in combination, a first major flap having a pouring opening therein, a portion of said opening defining a pouring weir, a removable section integral with said first flap and located between said pouring weir and an adjacent edge of said first flap, a second major flap overlying said first flap and adhesively secured thereto, a lift flap integral with said second major flap but partially severable there from, said lift flap being disposed in overlying and sealed relation with the pouring opening, said lift flap being adhesively secured to said removable section, and finger tab means connected with said lift flap for applying an elevating force to the same.

3. In a disposable tubular container of paper or the like having a main body portion terminating in a transition portion with a relatively flat end closure overlying said transition portion, the combination comprising an outturned flange fixed to the transition portion, a first major flap having a pouring opening therein, a removable section integral with said first flap, means for retaining said removable folded undergrelatiorifutith re- I longitudinal extension on said lift flap disposed infolded under relation with respect to said outturned'flange and said removable'section', said longitudinalexten'sion being adhesively secured to said removable. section, and a finger tab integrally connected with' said longitudinal extension.

4. An endclosiire for a: tubular container of paper or the like, said container having a main body portion surmounted by a tapered transitionpo'rtion,fsaid end closure, comprising the combinationof a plurality. of outturned flange panels fixed to the transition portion, one

. of. said flange panels having a recess in the outer edge thereof, a. first major flap having a pouring opening therein, a'portion of such pouring opening, defining. a

pouring weir, a removable section integral with 'saidffirst flap but severable therefrom along a line located. between said pouring weir and the adjacent edge of said first flap, means for retaining said removable section in folded under rclationwith respectito daidone flange panel having the, recess, a'second major flap overlying said first flowing over the pouring weir 20. These highly desirable flap and adhesively secured thereto, a hinged lift flap partially severable from said second major flap and mounted in overlying andsealed relation with the pouring opening buthaving a substantial sanitary marginal overlap with respect thereto, a longitudinal extension on said lift flap disposed infolded under relationwith respect to said one flange panel having therecess and to said removable section, said longitudinal extension being adhesively secured to said removable section, and tab means for applying an elevating force to said liftv panel, said longitudinal extension, and said removable section. v

5. In a tubular container of paper or the like, an end closure comprising the combination of a first major flap joined to the tubular portion of the container to partially close an end thereof and having a dispensing opening formed wholly within its boundaries, a portion of the periphery of said opening defining a pouring weir, said first major flap also' having a weakened line adjacent one edge of said first flap and so related to the weir as to be traversed by material poured thereover, a severable section defined between said weakened line and the adjacent boundary of said first flap, a second flap overlying said first flap and covering completely the dispensing opening and the margin thereof, a lift flap formed integrally with said second flap and overlying said severable section, said lift flap being defined by a pair of laterally spaced weakened lines respectively terminating at the edge of said second flap substantially over the ends of said severable section and substantially coinciding with the ends of the weakened line in said first flap, and an adhesive juncture between said first and said second major flaps disposed in completely encircling relation with said dispensing opening but being substantially clear of the weakened lines defining said lift flap, a portion of said adhesive juncture connecting said severable section. to said lift flap.

6. An end closure for a tubular container of paper or the like and comprising, in combination, a first sheet joined to the tubular portion of the container to partially close an end thereof and having a dispensing opening formed wholly within its boundaries and having a sanitary margin therearound, a portion of the periphery of said opening defining a pouring weir, said first sheet also having a plurality of weakened severance lines adjacent one edge of said first sheet, at least one of said lines being so related to the weir as to be traversed by material poured thereover, a removable section defined by said severance lines and the adjacent edge boundary of said first sheet, a second sheet covering completely said dispensing opening and the margin thereof, a lift flap formed integrally with said second sheet and overlying said removable section, said lift flap being defined by a pair of laterally spaced weakened severance lines in said second sheet terminating at the edge thereof and in the immediate vicinity of the severance lines defining the ends of said removable section in said first sheet, an adhesive juncture between said lift flap and said removable section, and an adhesive juncture between said first and said second sheets wholly without the area included aromas between the weakened lines in said second sheet, all of the weakened lines being severable in response to the raising of the adhesively joined lift flap and said removable section for uncovering at least the weir portion of the dispensing opening.

In a disposable tubular container of paper or the like having a main body portion terminating in a transition portion with a relatively flat end .closure overlying said transition portion, the combination of a first major flap having a dispensing opening defining therein a pouring weir, a removable section integral with said first major flap but separable therefrom along a severance line located between the pouring weir and the adjacent edge of said first flap, said line being located so as to define a pouring lip adjacent said weir, a second major flap overlying said first flap and adhesively secured thereto, a lift flap integral with said second major fiap and disposed in fluidtight overlying relation with thepouring opening, and an extension on said lift adhesively secured to said removable section, said lift flap and said extension being disposed in enclosing relation with said removable section and said severance line.

8. A blank for a tubular container of paper or the like having a main body portion surmounted by a transition portion with a relatively flat top end closure including dispensing means overlying said transition portion, said blank comprising the combination of a plurality of connected side panels for defining the main body portion of the container, a plurality of connected side panel extensions connected with respective ones of said side panels for defining the transition portion of said container, a plurality of connected flange panels connected with respective ones of said side panel extensions, alternate ones of said side panel extensions and their associated flange panels being scored to define substantially trapezoidal and triangular subpanels, first and second major top flaps respectively connected with alternate other ones of said flange panels, one of said major top flanges having a pouring opening therein, a relatively narrow detachable extension along one edge of said one major top flap, said extension having a severance line running longitudinally thereof and terminating in a pair of severance lines running transversely thereof, a lift flap defined in the other of said major top flaps by a pair of laterally spaced severance lines and a transverse score line, a longitudinal extension on said lift flap susceptible of positive attachment to said detachable extension of said major top flap, and a finger tab connected with said longitudinal exten- S10!!- 9. A flat top end closure for a tubular container of paper or the like, said closure comprising a first ply having a pouring opening and a detachable marginal edge portion spaced apart from but situated adjacent said pouring opening, a second ply having partial severance lines defining a lift flap, and an adhesive juncture between said plies disposed in encircling relation with the pouring opening but being structurally weakened at the severance lines defining said lift flap, that portion of said adhesive juncture connected with said lift flap being also connected with said detachable marginal edge portion of said first ply.

10. A flat top end closure for a tubular container of paper or the like, said closure comprising a first ply having a pouring opening bordered by a lip which has a weir adjacent the opening and a detachable marginal edge portion defining along its line of severance from said lip a-pouring edge on the side of said lip opposite said weir, said closure being characterized by a second ply dis posed in enclosing and sanitary protective relation with said pouring weir and said lip and said pouring edge, said second ply having a liftable portion bonded to said detachable marginal edge portion with a permanent adhesive juncture, whereby raising of said liftable portion severs said marginal edge portion from said lip to leave the pouring edge freshly exposed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,128,893 Bergstein Sept. 6, 1938 2,390,909 Zinn Dec. 11, 1945 2,470,388 Ball May 17, 1949 2,581,237 Casler Jan. 1. 1952 2,593,019 Glaser Apr. 15, 1952 

